Alongside the debut of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at this year's New York Auto Show, Ford announced an extension of its partnership with Microsoft (see also: Sync) into the electric vehicle (EV) recharging realm. The new space that Microsoft and Ford want to take over is your garage; the method of attack is the free Hohm energy management application.

The motor generates 30 kilowatts (40.2 horsepower) and 151 pound-feet of torque and handles drive and regenerative braking duties. That's well short of the 106 hp of the Ford Fusion motor and the 141 hp of the Toyota Camry motor. Nevertheless, Hyundai claims the Sonata can operate in EV mode at up to 62 mph. We'd guess that actually means the Sonata can shut down the engine and cruise on electricity at high speeds but can't actually accelerate to that speed on battery power, but we're looking in